Why do you think it is important to examine and understand the drug and toxicology levels of individuals involved in a crime? Is it more important to analyze the drug and toxicology levels of the suspect (cause) or the victim (effect)? Explain your response.
REPLY TO MY CLASSMATE’S POST TELLING WHY YOU AGREE BY PRESENTING QUESTIONS, ALTERNATIVE ANALYSIS, CHALLENGES TO THEIR ASSUMPTIONS AND CLAIMS (WITH RESEARCH), ON HOW HE ARRIVED AT HIS CONCLUSIONS (MINIMUM OF 250 WORDS) MAKE SURE YOU ASK QUESTIONS IN THE DISCUSSION
CLASSMATE’ S POST
Toxicology is the study of adverse effects of chemicals and drugs on humans and animals. This broad discipline has many interrelated branches, such as forensic, clinical, occupational (industrial), environmental and emergency toxicology.
Forensic toxicology is associated with the medico-legal aspects of toxicology; it plays an essential role in criminal and coroner investigations of poisoning, drug use and death, as well as in suspected cases of doping, inhalant or drug abuse, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This forensic discipline applies analytical chemistry to isolate and chemically identify toxic substances, drugs (prescription and illicit), alcohol, volatile substances and industrial, household, or environmental chemicals that adversely affect the human body.
The three main objectives of forensic toxicology are to establish the presence and identity of:
1) Toxicants and ascertain whether they contributed to or caused harm or death.
2) Substances that may affect a person’s performance or behavior and ability to make rational judgement; and
3) Substances that are not compliant with employment regulations or classified as substances of abuse.
Biological samples such as blood, urine, gastric aspirate, other body fluids and tissues, and exhibits are put through qualitative and quantitative analysis involving gas and liquid chromatographic techniques and mass spectrometry. The toxicology report provides key information on toxic agents present in an individual and whether drug concentrations are consistent with therapeutic dosage or at a level that causes harm or physical and mental impairment of human performance (Team & Us, 2021).
When looking at whether it is more important to analyze the drug and toxicology levels of the suspect or the victim the toxicology report is for the suspect. The victim comes into play when the offender is apprehended and faces justice for the crime that occurred. Toxicology reports can be the foundation of the prosecution’s case to convince the jury without a reasonable doubt the offender’s action is what caused the outcome. Reasonable doubt is defined as exiting when a factfinder cannot say with moral certainty that a person is guilty, or a particular fact exists. It must be more than an imaginary doubt, and it is often defined judicially as such doubt as would cause a reasonable person to hesitate before acting in a matter of importance (2021).
References
Team, A., & Us, C. (2021). Forensic Toxicology – Forensic Experts. Retrieved 30 September 2021, from https://www.forensicexperts.com.sg/forensic-toxicology
(2021). Retrieved 30 September 2021, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/legal/reasonable%20doubt
